Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder, has vowed to dedicate the bulk of his fortune over the next 20 years to enhancing health and educational services across Africa.
The 69-year-old stated that “by unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity.”
Speaking on Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, Gates also urged young African inventors to explore artificial intelligence (AI) as a means to improve healthcare in the region.
Bill Gates to donate 99% of his fortune
Last month, Gates announced his intention to donate 99 percent of his vast fortune, estimated to reach $200 billion (£150 billion) by 2045, the year his foundation plans to conclude operations.
“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,”he said during a speech at the African Union (AU) headquarters.
Graça Machel, the former First Lady of Mozambique, hailed his announcement and described it as occurring during a “moment of crisis.”
“We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” she said.
The announcement comes as the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, has cut aid to Africa, including crucial HIV/AIDS treatment programmes, raising concerns about the continent’s healthcare future.
Focusing on Africa’s health care
Gates emphasised that his foundation, with a longstanding presence in Africa, will prioritise improving primary healthcare.
“What we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before she gets pregnant, while she is pregnant, delivers the strongest results,” he said.
“Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.”
AI innovation in Africa
Addressing young innovators, Gates highlighted how mobile phones have transformed banking in Africa and encouraged applying AI to improve healthcare.
“Africa largely skipped traditional banking and now you have a chance, as you build your next generation healthcare systems, to think about how AI is built into that,” he said.
He cited Rwanda’s use of AI-enabled ultrasounds to identify high-risk pregnancies as an example of technology improving healthcare services.
Gates cited Rwanda as an example, stating that the country was already enhancing services by identifying high-risk pregnancies with AI-enabled ultrasound.
Gates Foundation’s top three goals
According to the Gates Foundation, its top three goals are eradicating avoidable maternal and infant mortality, ensuring the next generation is spared from life-threatening infectious diseases, and helping millions of people escape poverty.
“At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations,” it said in a statement.
Gates announced last month that he would increase his foundation’s donations.
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” he wrote in a blog post.